IndiGo Airlines gets okay for ATR 72-600 aircraft operations

May 10, 2017-TOULOUSE

European plane manufacturer ATR and the IndiGo Airlines are looking forward to signing a purchase deal for 50 short-haul passenger planes very soon. This order has an estimated value of US 1.3 Billion. IndiGo is expected to be part of the government’s ambitious regional air connectivity scheme UDAN in a “big way” by inducting the ATR planes.

The ATR 72 is a twin-engine turboprop short-haul regional airliner manufactured by the French-Italian aircraft manufacturer ATR developed as a stretched variant of the ATR 42. The aircraft entered service in 1989.

The term sheet is subject to reaching a mutually satisfactory final purchase agreement with ATR and the engine manufacturer, the airline said. The aircraft are expected to begin operations by the end of 2017.

“In support of our Honourable Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s UDAN vision, we are embarking on a journey to build a nation-wide regional network and connect cities that have not benefitted from the growth in Indian aviation”said IndiGo President Mr. Aditya Ghosh.

Christian Scherer, ATR’s Chief Executive Officer, declared: “IndiGo is one of the most respected, efficient and demanding airline in the world. Today they have selected the ATR 72-600s as the best solution to effectively implement their ambitious plans to build a nationwide regional network. Their decision further proves that our aircraft is the right tool to link communities and develop business throughout India.”

IndiGo is the India’s largest passenger carrier with total market share of 39.9% as of March, 2017. The airline operates schedule domestic air travel market as a low-cost airline. IndiGo was established on 2006 and has currently grown its carrier with one plane to a fleet of 133 aircraft. A single aircraft type (A320/A320neo), high operational reliability and an award winning service make IndiGo one of the most reliable airlines in the world. Currently, the carrier currently operates more than 900 peak daily flights connecting 46 destinations – 39 domestic and 7 international.